Horses from the greater Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix and Tortola) will be vying to be the top horse of the year when the Honouring Ceremony will be introduced in 2013 where awards will be given out for Horse of the Year, Jockey of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Horseman of the Year. File Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

The St. Thomas Carnival Races are the next big event in VI Horseracing set for April 27 at the Clinton E. Phipps Race Track in St. Thomas.

Lesmore Smith, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners' Association.

This was disclosed at a joint association meeting between the St. Thomas Horse Owners' Association and the Virgin Islands Owners’ Association held last weekend in St. Thomas where St. Croix was absent from the meeting.

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association, Lesmore Smith disclosed the plans for the honouring ceremony which will be held annually and is to start next year in St. Thomas.

He said the honouring ceremony will pay admiration to a ‘Jockey of the Year’, a ‘Trainer of the Year’, a ‘Horse of the Year’ and a ‘Horseman of the Year’.

In addition, he stated that two local media houses from each territory that covered the races on a regular basis will be honoured.

“The committee responsible for choosing the honoraries for the ceremony will comprise of two representatives from the Tortola horse association, the St. Thomas horse association and the St. Croix horse association.

The judging committee will be chosen and announced before the beginning of next month. The ceremony will be held in St. Thomas next year, Tortola the following year, St. Croix in the year 2015 and so on,” Mr. Smith explained.

Meanwhile, Mr. Smith disclosed that the Mare and Fillie Races “similar to Triple Crown 3 legs race” will be held on August 21, 2012 in St. Thomas.

“After the Mare and Fillie races, VI Horse Association will be hosting an Invitational Sprint Classic Race at Ellis Thomas Down, Sea Cows Bay,” he added.

The St. Thomas Carnival Races is set for April 27 in St. Thomas, with Good Prospecting competing to defend his title and claim his share of $25,000.

“We are continuing the work of the Association in the VI, doing the best to enhance the sport. I want to encourage all the fans to come on out and support the races,” Smith said.

In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Rodney Simmonds of The Boys Stable and Violet "Letty" Hodge of L and B Stables, both had the same sentiments in relation to the introduction of the honouring ceremony.

Mr. Simmonds said that the introduction of the honouring ceremony is not only a good idea but a great idea. “It will make people more interested in the sports”.

“I think I have a good chance if I win the races in St. Thomas next week, (The Governor’s Cup and the 6 furlong sprint race). Winning big races and being consistent will give me a chance to be nominated and honoured.”

Ms. Hodge said, “It is a good idea, so many people have been around and involved with the sport, with so many not recognized, you have to give the credit where it is due”.